The Alpena Downtown Development Authority made the request so that businesses that serve alcohol in the newly expanded DDA district would be able to enjoy the benefits the social district has offered other parts of the downtown since the summer of 2021.

The expansion area of the social district could be up and running before summer.

A social district provides a designated public space where customers may take alcoholic beverages purchased from a licensed bar or restaurant located within the social district and enjoy them together with customers who purchase drinks from other bars and restaurants in the social district.

Councilman Mike Nowak said the current social district has been a good thing for downtown and the concerns about litter and trouble from people overconsuming alcohol have been alleviated.

Courtesy Photo Both new and existing social district boundaries are seen in this aerial view on downtown Alpena.

Alpena Police Chief Eric Hamp told the council that police have seen no issues in terms of any crimes being committed downtown that were associated with the social district.

“I think this has been a very positive program and makes us a more social area and people are taking advantage of it,” Nowak said. “They use it to enjoy the park, so I think it has been a good thing for us and I think the expansion is a good idea.”

Anne Gentry, DDA executive director, said businesses such as Latitude’s Tavern, Players Pub and Grub, the Sports Page Lounge, and The Nest could all be part of the expanded social district if and when they become licensed.

Gentry said the expanded social district would run down Chisholm Street to the George Washington Bridge and down 2nd Avenue to the Old Polish Corner Restaurant at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Lake Street.

It would also encompass the entire bi-path around the Thunder Bay River, which includes Lamarre Park, the entire Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail, and Rotary Island Park.

It could also lead to more events being held in that region of the city and in the nearby parks.

“We haven’t had any issues with the social district since it began and it is primarily used during events, so it is a nice option to have,” she said. “If businesses want to do it, it just makes sense to expand it.”

The State enacted the new law during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to help spur economic activity and provide flexibility for hospitality businesses by enabling the on-site sale and off-site consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated “Social District” areas.